For good reason, Matthew Stafford should be the most concerned about the quality of the offensive line play.

Even though this season's version will be younger and less experienced, the Detroit Lions quarterback remains confident.

"I don't expect a big change. I don't expect any kind of a drop-off,'' Stafford said. "I think we are extremely talented up front.''

Now the talented-but-inexperienced group will have to keep him upright to prove him right.

With Jeff Backus retired and Gosder Cherilus gone to the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions are missing any kind of veteran presence at the tackle position, the guys Stafford will depend on the most.

Backus started 188 games in last 12 seasons at left tackle, while Cherilus started 71 at right tackle over five seasons. After the draft, general manager Martin Mayhew said he hoped to sign a veteran for the line, but it hasn't happened yet.

Perhaps the next-best thing is to bring Backus back to help coach the younger guys.

That is exactly what will happen. Backus will return as a part-time coaching intern the team announced on Tuesday.

This will particularly help Riley Reiff who is expected to start at left tackle along with Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard who will battle it out for the starting right tackle position.

Backus worked closely with the rookie Reiff last season.

Reiff played in all 16 games last season, but started just one at left tackle when Backus was forced to sit out his first game in a dozen seasons.

Hilliard has played in 37 games, starting five while Fox has played in just five games with zero starts.

It was much different in college for Fox, who is healthy after struggling with injuries for parts of three seasons. He started 47 games in four seasons at Miami, moving to left tackle from the right side midway through his true freshman season and staying there.

"It's a new feeling to come in and before I can focus on technique even and all the things you're supposed to work on on the offensive line without going to rehab right after practice,'' Fox said. "It's a great feeling and I'm excited about it.''

At least at guard, Rob Sims returns as the left guard for the fourth straight season. Bill Nagy, who started four games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2011 as a rookie, will vie for the right guard spot along with rookie Larry Warford.

Dom Raiola, who is entering his 13th season with the Lions, is expected to hold down the center spot.

It will be different for him playing without Backus. They were drafted in 2001 and played together ever since.

He will help out offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn who will be in his first season in charge of the line after serving as an assistant for four seasons. Also Terry Heffernan has been hired as the offensive line assistant coach after working the same position for the last six seasons at Wayne State.